Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 202 Mother, I'm sleepy
Lu Xingzhou leaned against the cave wall to cultivate, pondering the divination and reflecting on the gains and losses of his four-month trip from Xiazhou to the capital.

If we say that Gui Mei is late in returning home, then this can also be applied to the hexagram of his revenge.

The trip to the capital had several objectives, among which dealing with the Huo family was a complete failure from beginning to end. It was like trying to catch a deer without a guide, leaving no way to start. We could only make token gestures, which seemed impressive but had little real value.

It's not as good as the results achieved in the battles of Xiazhou and Menggui City, where Huo Yu was killed in one battle and Huo Lu was crippled in the other... There are too many things to worry about in the capital, so nothing can be accomplished.

Of course, the other side also had many concerns; at least they couldn't kill him, so it was a draw.

His thriving love life masked the lack of progress in his revenge efforts.

When Huo Zhang finally received his mentor, which dealt him a major blow, he already needed to leave the capital.

The divination has changed, that's fine. There's always a chance to return later, sooner or later.

The goal of "gilding" (a form of academic achievement) was half-successful. He entered the Alchemy Academy as the top scholar, thus acquiring the "golden body" (a symbol of academic achievement), and successfully followed a first-rank mentor, gaining the knowledge he desired. His cultivation directly broke through to the fourth rank, he subdued a new fire seed, his immortal bones permeated his entire body, he killed the former top-ranked newcomer, and publicly challenged the current top-ranked newcomer, quickly rising to fame. Both his literary and martial pursuits yielded great gains, a truly substantial achievement.

It's no exaggeration to say that he is currently the most promising new star in the Great Qian Dynasty.

However, due to the short time, there were still many regrets. The most typical one was not being able to build good relationships with classmates, which would have been valuable connections in the future. The students who could enter the Dan Academy were all quite capable, either from very high-ranking families or destined to become important figures in some influential circles. Having these classmates was itself a gilding for their future.

Lu Xingzhou had realized this and had been actively trying not to be hated. After a few small actions, his classmates' slight jealousy and resistance towards him disappeared, but he still didn't make any friends.

However, according to Ye Tinglan, classmates are always classmates, and they are different from strangers. At the right time, they can always be turned into connections.

That makes sense; there will always be opportunities to take it slow in the future.

After the trial, I'll at least have to return to the capital to graduate, and I'll have time to spend with my classmates again. We'll see then.

Isn't this also a case of Gui Mei being late in returning home, and her return being delayed?
This hexagram is a guide to the future, but isn't it also a summary of the past?

For the first time, Lu Xingzhou felt a slight sense of awe towards the art of divination; this thing was rather interesting…

“Um… sir.” Amidst the flickering campfire, Lu Xingzhou suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"What?" Ye Tinglan opened her eyes in a corner.

"I also want to learn divination. Can you teach me, sir?"

"Don't teach."

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

"What Yama taught you, I can teach better than she did. What she didn't teach, I'm just spouting nonsense?"

Lu Xingzhou: “???”

Wait a minute, what's the point of you taking me as your disciple?
Isn't it to monitor me and get information about the Underworld from me, but rather to... challenge the King of Hell?

Ye Tinglan seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn, closed her eyes, and remained silent no matter how much Lu Xingzhou called her.

…………

The three of them then endured wind and rain for several days until they arrived at Dream City, where Ye Tinglan finally agreed to go into the city to rest.

Lu Xingzhou and A Nuo thought she didn't like going to the city and insisted on living in the mountains like a hermit... Following the mentor for the trial, this could also be considered part of the trial?
There was no other way but to live in a cave.

Upon arriving at Dream City, Meng Guan seemed to have received some notification and came out to greet them early, bowing and saying, "Madam Ye, your presence is an honor to Dream City."

Ye Tinglan returned the greeting.

The gift startled Meng Guan so much that he almost jumped, but he managed to restrain himself and stroked his beard as he accepted it.

After all, this person is just a teacher at the Alchemy Academy, not the Imperial Preceptor.

"Greetings, Prefect Meng. We meet again." Lu Xingzhou appeared before us, accompanied by A Nuo, looking disheveled and like a wild man.

Ah Nuo's bun was half-undone, and her hair looked like a bird's nest.

Meng Guan: "...I've always seen you as having an elegant and gentle demeanor, what's going on?"

"Anyone who stayed in the mountains for several days in heavy rain would be in a similar situation. We're already doing well; at least we can hold up the protective barrier and remain unaffected by the filth..."

Meng Guan twitched his cheek: "I have prepared a guesthouse, please come with me."

It wasn't until they followed Meng Guan to the inn that Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice realized why Madam Ye refused to stay at inns and insisted on sleeping outdoors all the way.

She refused to be seen as a man and a child staying at the hotel, and didn't want to endure any outsiders' stares at the family of three, even though the waiter didn't know who they were.

I'd rather stay in the wilderness the whole way, since nobody will know anyway.

As for the heavy rain and filth along the way, it didn't bother her. Her powerful cultivation kept her spotless, and besides, she didn't work or sleep.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by an official acquaintance, and only after this seemingly aboveboard were they allowed to check in. The master and apprentice, who had been tricked, suddenly realized that all their hardships along the way were for her sake, just to save face for her. Lu Xingzhou, holding A Nuo's hand, followed behind, and looking at her graceful figure, a hint of malice flashed in their eyes simultaneously.

You want to save face, right?
Are you afraid people will say it?
Ye Tinglan was saying to Meng Guan, "There's no need for a welcome banquet; we're all here for quiet cultivation..."

"Mom~" Anuo rubbed her eyes and hugged me from behind: "I'm tired, I want a hug."

Ye Tinglan: "?"

Meng Guan: "!!!"

Ye Tinglan had almost completely lost her composure and elegance, and angrily grabbed A Nuo's ear: "Who is your mother? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Oh." Ah Nuo suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes filled with terror: "I forgot to... I'm sorry, sir."

Meng Guan's gaze became inquisitive as he looked at Ye Tinglan and then at the handsome and upright Lu Xingzhou, his expression a mixture of disbelief and a hint of "I understand."

No wonder, the Dan Academy has never had students start working independently with a mentor this early; it usually takes about half a year before they begin, and they rarely mentor only one student. Now I understand completely.

He's a young, handsome guy, so that's understandable. Who would have thought that the Imperial Advisor, who claims to be abstinent and celibate, also has needs...

Lu Xingzhou was willing to bet even an Oscar-winning actor would have a hard time portraying Meng Guan's subtle eye expression, but unfortunately, this wasn't the time to appreciate it. He quickly stepped forward and picked up A Nuo, saying, "Sorry, sir, A Nuo is sleepy and confused..."

Ye Tinglan took a deep breath, her chest heaving, her power like a volcano about to erupt, and anyone with even a little knowledge of the matter was instantly thrown several feet away.

Meng Guan said at the right moment, "Children like to call out to people they are close to. But then again, teachers and elders are like parents. Madam Ye is Lu Nuonuo's mentor, so it's not that she can't call her that."

Having managed to smooth things over, Ye Tinglan took a deep breath, suppressing her embarrassment and annoyance, and said calmly, "Let's go. We can find accommodation. I won't go to the welcome banquet. A'nuo likes to eat, so you can take them there separately."

Lu Xingzhou quickly replied, "Then we won't eat either."

"Eat! Why aren't you eating!" Ye Tinglan shouted angrily, "Get out of here!"

The master and apprentice said in unison, "Then we'll reluctantly eat a little."

Seeing the same wide grin from the master and apprentice, Ye Tinglan's voice caught in her throat. So you two did all this just so you could go to the banquet?
All this for a feast! You just wait! You'll get what's coming to you later!

Of course, it's all for the feast! We ate roasted sweet potatoes all the way and didn't die, and now that we're in Dream City, you're saying you won't go for the welcome feast and will just stay overnight? You won't eat, but Emperor Anuo will!
It's not just about eating, but also about bringing the aloof gentleman down to earth.

I thought you were so high-minded, looking so aloof and serene. Turns out you can't even be indifferent to honor and disgrace, or let others' opinions dictate your life. Is that why you're so worried, always preoccupied with things that shouldn't concern you?

"That...boat..."

The meal was a private one, with only Meng Guan accompanying Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice. A'nuo was happily devouring the roast chicken, while Meng Guan chatted privately with Lu Xingzhou. His attitude had completely changed from that of a prefect guiding a junior to one of deference, and he addressed Lu Xingzhou with extreme intimacy, calling him "Xingzhou."

Damn, the imperial advisor's male favorite is not something an ordinary person can handle.

"Ah? Prefect Meng, please give your orders."

"I have no instructions." Meng Guan lowered his voice: "Madam Ye never accepts disciples. It's fate that Xingzhou was able to gain her favor."

"Actually, the gentleman only appears aloof on the surface; he is actually quite easygoing in daily life."

"Of course, who can enjoy her easygoing nature?" Meng Guan thought to himself, while muttering aloud, "That vixen from last time... was she Pei...?"

Lu Xingzhou quickly interrupted, "Has the prefect still not caught that witch from last time?"

"...No, he should have fled elsewhere long ago, maybe even to the capital." Meng Guan already knew the answer and didn't say anything more. Damn, Lu Xingzhou's luck is so strange. How come a mere young scholar is involved with such powerful forces: Princess Chaohuang, the Pei family, and the Tianyao Holy Land?

Oh, and maybe there's also the Hall of Yama, the King of Hell.

In fact, Meng Guan forgot that he himself was also part of Lu Xingzhou's network. As a rare and excellent official who fought alongside Lu Xingzhou to defeat the demonic infant ghost, and whose brother Meng Li had also taken good care of Lu Xingzhou at the Pill Academy, the Meng family appeared to have a very close relationship with Lu Xingzhou in the eyes of outsiders.

The Meng family is not a large, powerful clan like the Pei family, nor does it have the current, influential power of the Huo family. However, it is still a family lineage with a thousand-year history and impeccable lineage, and the two brothers hold positions that are not low. Although they will most likely choose to align themselves with a larger power, it is more of a cooperative arrangement. The Pei family, which they are currently aligned with, will treat the Meng family with the utmost respect and will not treat them as subordinates to be ordered around.

In the Great Qian Dynasty, people like them are the backbone.

Now, in Meng Guan's eyes, Lu Xingzhou has become a highly sought-after commodity, a rare and valuable asset. This has even subtly altered his assessment of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Shen Tang.

While eating, Lu Xingzhou casually asked, "I've been in the capital these past few days and haven't ventured into the martial world. Do you know what's new and interesting happening around the world?"

Meng Guan laughed and said, "I heard that you are on good terms with the editor of the Heroes Ranking in the capital. Do we need to tell you this? She knows more than anyone else."

"Well, it's a pity she never talks about gossip outside the circle; that's the code of conduct for gossip lovers." Lu Xingzhou sighed, "There really isn't."

Meng Guan stroked his beard and said, "The King of Hell of the Yama Palace defeated the leader of the Yin Corpse Sect and then dispatched the Eastern Ghost Emperor Ji Wenchuan to break the Yin Corpse Sect's copper and iron corpse puppet formation, forcing the Yin Corpse Sect to submit and submit. Does this count?"

Lu Xingzhou was stunned for a long time: "Why are the Yama Palace and the Yin Corpse Sect fighting?"

"I don't know the details. It's said that the Yin Corpse Sect offended some of their people? But it seems that the Yin Corpse Sect denies it, saying that nothing happened. It's probably just an excuse."

(End of this chapter)